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Trifolium nanum Herbaceous Vegetation | Western Ecology Working Group of...
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Name: Trifolium nanum Herbaceous Vegetation Reference: Western Ecology Working Group of... Description: This fell-field cushion plant association occurs among the patchwork of tundra associations in large areas of the high alpine in the southern Rocky Mountains. Stands generally occur on wind-exposed ridges and gentle to steep upper slopes (8-100%) with convex surface relief. Aspects are southwestern, western, northern and northeastern. These areas are snow-free and windswept by strong seasonal winds during the winter. The surficial geology is generally bedrock granite or other igneous or metamorphic rocks, but the community may occur on loose talus slopes. Sites are typically xeric and rocky, with the ground surface largely covered in large and small rocks and gravel. Soil types are shallow, poorly developed, well-drained or rapidly drained, cobbly or gravelly, sandy loam to sand. Mosses and lichens can also cover up to 20% of the stand. The vegetation is characterized by dense patches of matted tundra species interspersed with exposed rocks and cobbles. The moderately dense herbaceous layer (40-60% cover) is dominated by <i>Trifolium nanum</i> with 20-50% cover. <i>Paronychia pulvinata</i> or <i>Minuartia biflora (= Lidia biflora)</i> may codominate some stands. Several other species are consistently found within stands, some with relatively high cover such as <i>Geum rossii, Silene acaulis</i>, and <i>Tonestus pygmaeus</i>. Other constant forbs with lower cover include <i>Arenaria fendleri, Artemisia scopulorum, Castilleja occidentalis, Erigeron pinnatisectus, Eritrichium nanum, Minuartia obtusiloba, Polygonum bistortoides, Saxifraga bronchialis, Selaginella densa</i>, and <i>Trifolium dasyphyllum</i>. Graminoids are also present with low cover and commonly include <i>Carex rupestris var. drummondiana, Festuca brachyphylla, Luzula spicata, Poa alpina</i>, and <i>Poa glauca</i>. Diagnostic of this alpine fellfield is the dominance of <i>Trifolium nanum</i> with other cushion plants.  Accession Code: VB.CC.32126.CEGL005939 Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
	Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization) Perspective from: 17-Nov-2014 to: 01-May-2019
	status: accepted This Community's Level: association This Community's Children: [none]		Names:   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.735338 NatureServe Explorer   Translated: Dwarf Clover Herbaceous Vegetation   Scientific: Trifolium nanum Herbaceous Vegetation   Code: CEGL005939